Green Party to crack down on problem gambling

The Green Party today released a package
of measures to reduce the harm caused by problem
gambling.

In response to the Key Government’s deal with
SkyCity that will lead to more harm from pokie machines, the
Green Party has looked at ways to minimise this harm.
Research shows the best way to reduce harm caused by pokies
in casinos and clubs throughout New Zealand is to move to a
universal pre-commitment system.

The Green Party
will:• Require mandatory
pre-commitment cards for all electronic gambling machines
from 2017.• Stop direct advertising
and inducements to problem gamblers and strengthen
self-exclusion arrangements.•
Strengthen the oversight of the Gambling
Commission.

“The Green Party intends to implement
sensible and pragmatic measures that reassert the role of
public health as the primary driver of gambling regulation,
rather than economic development and convention centres,”
Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today.
“Research shows that problem gamblers make up to 40%
of the profits of clubs and casinos that use
pokies.

“Companies like SkyCity and the trusts that
manage pokie machines in our communities are extracting huge
profits from problem gamblers.

“The National
Government’s New Zealand International Convention Centre
Bill (NZICC Bill) exempts SkyCity from restrictions in the
Gambling Act and allows it to grow by what is effectively
the size of another casino on the same site.

“The
National Government has failed in its duty to New
Zealanders. As part of a progressive government, the Green
Party will legislate to protect public health.

“SkyCity
has not behaved like a responsible corporate citizen by
buying its way out of laws that protect New
Zealanders.

“SkyCity’s behaviour has shone a spotlight
on the importance of the government’s role to regulate
industries that cause harm.

“The Green Party considers
that the main way of reducing the harm caused by pokies in
casinos and clubs throughout New Zealand is to move to a
universal pre-commitment system.

“To tackle the harm
from problem gambling effectively New Zealand needs to
introduce mandatory pre-commitment cards and expand
pre-commitment technology to pokie machine across the
country.

“The Green Party also intends to push for
compulsory player tracking and restrict direct advertising
of venues that profit from problem gamblers.

“Our
solutions to problem gambling will make a
difference.

“These solutions will seriously cut into the
profits extracted by those that gain from the human misery
caused by pokie machines and that is a small price to pay
for minimising the social harm of gambling,” said Mrs
Turei.

ALSO:

WorkSafe NZ has laid one charge against the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in relation to the shooting at the MSD Ashburton office on 1 September 2014 in which two Work and Income staff were killed and another was injured. More>>

New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters has announced his intention to stand in the Northland by-election, citing his own links to the electorate and ongoing neglect of the region by central government. More>>

The Government has appointed 12 New Zealanders as members of the Flag Consideration Panel which will engage with the public about a possible new New Zealand flag, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says. More>>

ALSO:

ALSO:

The first I knew of my mother’s charges was when I was called by a reporter yesterday. I spoke to Andrew and we agreed there is a conflict of interest at the present time which means I will temporarily stand aside from the Social Development portfolio. It’s the right thing to do… . More>>